Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
"He was a stout man with a fluffy white beard that sat atop his vest like a platter of cotton balls." Henry Steel Olcott looked part Sufi, part Santa in his white pajamas. This is how the American Presbyterian became a Buddhist icon
"Whenever they thought I was not telling the truth, the interrogator displayed a handcuff, an electric baton, and a handgun on the desk. 'Which would you like to choose? Confession or tools?'" Powerful read on persecution in Tibet
Philosopher of mind investigates: "I believe that 'Buddhism naturalised' is a serious contender, along with Confucianism and Aristotelianism, for a great wisdom tradition that offers a viable philosophy for 21st century secularists"
Bongthing (hereditary chief priest) of the Lepcha people of Sikkim. Led them in worshipping mountain of Kanchenjunga. Ritual used to include yak sacrifice, until king of Sikkim banned this in 1973. King overthrown soon after
Fascinating, if the political economy of Tibetan Buddhism is your thing. "The Dalai Lama is more than likely to be succeeded by an emanation, not necessarily by a child reincarnation." Or perhaps both. Or by several emanations
Chinese religious revival under way, tolerated uneasily by government. Buddhism for middle class, Islam for minorities, Christianity for yuppies—and huge rural boom in Taoism, which mixes religion and philosophy
American novelist talks discursively about Japanese religion and culture. Interesting throughout, not least for breadth of cultural reference, ranging from Shusako Endo to Kill Bill
Interview with Tibetan Buddhist monk who fought Chinese in 1950s. "Once you have been a monk, it is very difficult to kill a man. But sometimes it can be your duty to do so"
